I think its safe to say that Marvel’s Defenders was probably one of the most anticipated releases on Netflix this year, and it's not hard see why-Daredevil, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage, all under the same roof pack quite the punch, literally. However, as is the trend with highly anticipated superhero crossovers lately (hint: Dawn of Justice), Defenders too does not live up to the hype around it.
Halfway into the series that revolves around a highly predictable plot, the characters attempt to simultaneously promote and refute the idea of working together as a team, all while gorging on an all you can eat buffet at a Chinese restaurant, making you wonder whether spending your weekend binge watching this was a good idea. Watching the otherwise gritty Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) switch from his broody self to a trying-too-hard to please impish persona is disappointing, especially for the ardent fans of Daredevil. In my opinion, they should have limited the slapstick humor to the Avengers. Danny Rand (Finn Jones), still boisterously proclaiming himself as the Immortal Iron Fist, looks even more troubled and confused than he did in his solo series, hastily making his way through the seedy underbelly of New York without a care in the world about how his multi-billion dollar company is functioning. Jessica Jones (Kristen Ritter), who for most part seems to be the only pragmatist of the four, is led down by her lack of combat-training and inability to emote, that do little to justify her place on the team, considering she barely uses her investigative skills either. Speaking of inability to emote, Luke cage (Mike Colter) seems to have pre-decided to use only two expressions and two wardrobe changes for the entire series.
Anyway, the series begins by tracing the journey of The (Immortal) Iron Fist, whose quest to end The Hand culminates in New York, leading to revelation of events post an earthquake that eventually put the four heroes in each others’ cross hairs. Unable to take on The Hand alone, the four eventually decide to join forces as their intentions somewhat align.
Coming to the plot, the Hand, which looks like a United Colors of Benetton campaign, led by Alexandra (Sigourney Weaver), intends on harvesting the fossils of a dragon buried underneath New York City, for the substance of immortality (Of course), causing death and destruction in the process (Of course)-Getting a little tired of New York being destroyed all the time? Tell me about it. How about wreaking havoc in a slightly more original place the next time, Iowa perhaps. Anyhow, in order to this, the Hand needs the Iron Fist to punch through a wall…Yup, that’s it, that’s the plot. I mean they could've tried bulldozing it or smashing it down with a wrecking ball, but instead Alexandra thought it best to bring Elektra (Elodie Yung) back to life, project a highly dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship on her, train her to be the ‘ultimate weapon’ and send her to retrieve the iron fist. Much ado about nothing one might say.
As for our protagonists, who when not occupied with intra-group squabbling and shabbily weaved-in individual back stories, casually sidestep legality, leaping into irrational self-righteous decisions, including domestic terrorism. Matt is constantly haunted by the death of Elektra and subsequently consumed by the desire to redeem her, a subject that could've been handled beautifully had they stuck to Daredevil-style filmmaking, but instead finds a Batman vs Superman ending. Jessica and Luke for most part feel like inorganic additions to the plot, leading to warm but not entirely convincing camaraderie, and lastly, Danny, who the plot essentially revolves around, is forced to find redemption in a somewhat bequeathed sense of belonging.
The saving grace for me are the well choreographed and neatly shot action sequences, that make the fifty minute viewing time per episode worth it, as well as the strong supporting performances, especially the ones delivered by Karen (Deborah Ann Woll), Foggy (Elden Henson), and Colleen (Jessica Henwick). While I would not entirely dissuade you from watching the series, I would suggest you do so at your own risk.
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